Albert Taaviri Kaitara Nicholas (born 2 September 1971)[1] is a Cook Islands politician and former Cabinet Minister. He is a member of the Cook Islands Party. He is the son of former MP Albert (Peto) Nicholas.[2]
Albert Nicholas | |
|---|---|
 Nicholas in 2017 | |
| Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands | |
| Assumed office 16 February 2024 | |
| Prime Minister | Mark Brown |
| Preceded by | Robert Tapaitau |
| Minister of National Environment Services | |
| Assumed office 23 December 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Robert Tapaitau |
| Minister of Infrastructure & Planning | |
| Assumed office 23 December 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Robert Tapaitau |
| Minister of Internal Affairs | |
| In office 15 March 2015 – 21 September 2018 | |
| Prime Minister | Henry Puna |
| Preceded by | Nandi Glassie |
| Succeeded by | Vaine Mokoroa |
| Member of the Cook Islands Parliament for Avatiu–Ruatonga–Palmerston | |
| Assumed office 9 July 2014 | |
| Preceded by | John Henry |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 September 1971 |
| Political party | Democratic Party Cook Islands Party |
| Relations | Albert (Peto) Nicholas |
Nicholas was born on Rarotonga and educated at Avarua School and Tereora College.[1] He worked as a public servant for Customs before becoming self-employed.[1] He first elected to parliament in the 2014 election as a representative of the Democratic Party. He represents the seat of Avatiu–Ruatonga–Palmerston.
In March 2015, Nicholas switched his support to the government of Henry Puna in exchange for a cabinet post as Minister of Internal Affairs, Youth and Sport, the Ombudsman, and the Punanga Nui market.[2][3] He was subsequently expelled from the Democratic Party.[4]
In 2016, he was part of the Cook Islands' delegation to the second Pacific Parliamentary Forum in Wellington, New Zealand.[5] In April 2017 he resigned from parliament in order to end speculation over his defection from the Democrats.[6] He was re-elected in the resulting 2017 Avatiu–Ruatonga–Palmerston by-election.[7]
He was re-elected at the 2018 election.[8] On 21 September 2018 Nicholas was sacked from cabinet without explanation while overseas for health reasons. He was replaced by Vaine Mokoroa.[9]
In January 2019, Nicholas was charged in New Zealand with "unlawfully taking a motor vehicle", a rental car. He entered a plea of not guilty the following month, and was released on bail, returning to the Cook Islands.[10] He failed to appear at a second hearing at Manukau District Court on 26 March, resulting in an arrest warrant being issued. He was nonetheless sworn back into parliament on 9 April.[11] As of June 2019, the arrest warrant remains active, and Nicholas will be arrested if he returns to New Zealand.[12]
In February 2020 Nicholas was seriously injured in a car accident.[13] In March 2020 Nicholas admitted that he had pledged his support to the government of Henry Puna in exchange for a bridge being built in his electorate.[14]
Following the election of Mark Brown as Prime Minister he was appointed Associate Minister for the Cook Islands Investment Corporation.[15]
He was re-elected at the 2022 Cook Islands general election.[16] In December 2022 he was appointed to Cabinet as Minister of Infrastructure, and National Environmental Services.[17]
In February 2024 following the conviction of Robert Tapaitau for fraud he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands.[18]
References
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